# NTSB LAX89LA218: de Havilland DHC-2, N1215, Trinity Center, CA, June 17, 1989

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: June 17, 1989, 16:00 local (23:00 UTC)
- Place: Trinity Center, CA
- Coordinates: 41.050338, -122.78009 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=41.0503&lon=-122.7801&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 4 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report September 30, 1991
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 26429
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX89LA218
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/26429/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX89LA218

## Probable cause

AN INTERRUPTION OF FUEL TO THE ENGINE FOR UNDETERMINED REASONS.

## Sequence of events

In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf).

- Loss of engine power, takeoff - initial climb
  - fuel system - pressure too low (cause)
  - fuel system - undetermined (cause)
- Forced landing, landing - flare/touchdown
- On ground/water collision with object, landing - roll
  - terrain condition - hidden obstruction(s)
- Nose over, landing - roll

## Analysis

DURING TAKEOFF THE AIRCRAFT CLIMBED TO ABOUT 100 FT AGL WHEN A TOTAL LOSS OF ENGINE POWER WAS EXPERIENCED. THE PLT MADE A FORCED LANDING ON A RIVER BED. DURING ROLLOUT THE ACFT COLLIDED WITH A BOULDER AND NOSED OVER. THE PLT REPORTED THAT DURING THE MISHAP THE ACFT'S LOW FUEL PRESSURE WARNING LIGHT HAD ACTIVATED. EXAM OF THE ENGINE REVEALED THE PRESENCE OF FUEL IN THE ENGINE DRIVEN FUEL PUMP & IN THE CARB.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N1215](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N1215-2015-10-08), registration cancelled 2015-10-08, S/N 1479, built 1961 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: de Havilland DHC-2
- Registry model: [Dehavilland DHC-2 MK. I(L20A)](https://openairdocs.org/model/dehavilland-dhc-2-mk-i-l20a) (registry code 2808002) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Pratt & Whitney R-985 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/pratt-whitney-r-985-series) (registry code 52008, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 1479
- Airframe hours: 4073
- Engines: P&W R-985 AN14-B 400 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: George Cordingly
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: 100 hour, January 23, 1989, 52 hours before
- Destination: TRINITY LAKE, CA
- Airport: 086, Trinity Center

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 49; commercial, flight engineer, flight instructor; airplane ratings: single-engine sea, multi-engine sea, single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; flight hours: 7,233 total, 170 in this make and model, 6,022 as pilot in command, 90 in the last 90 days, 24 in the last 30 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 200° at 12 knots, gusting 15
- Visibility: 50 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 91 °F

## FAA reports on this event (1)

The FAA's own accident and incident reports, matched to the aircraft by N-number and date (OpenAirDocs).

- [Accident 19890617016049A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19890617016049A), Jun 17, 1989: Dhav DHC2MK1, Trinity, CA, Substantial damage. Pilot reported intermittent fuel flow on takeoff. Landed in dry river hit rock. Nosed over.

From the NTSB's public API. Aircraft are matched to registry aircraft by N-number and event date, checked against the reported serial number, make and model; the registry's history has gaps, so older matches can be wrong. Compare the reported make and model.

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